The year 2024 has been a turbulent one for many celebrities in South Africa, with several high-profile divorces making headlines.
From messy public breakups to shocking revelations about why relationships fell apart, the South African entertainment industry has witnessed its fair share of relationship drama this year.
One divorce, in particular, has sparked nationwide controversy, but we’ll get to that later.
Here’s a look at 9 Mzansi celebs who called it quits in 2024, and the reasons behind their splits.
Siya and Rachel Kolisi
Reason for Divorce: Infidelity and Trust Issues
Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s divorce in 2024 came as a huge shock to their fans, considering the couple had always seemed like one of the most solid and admired in the South African public eye.
However, sources close to the couple revealed that their marriage ended due to infidelity and trust issues that had been brewing for a while.
Despite their high-profile status, behind the scenes, both Siya, a rugby star, and Rachel, a media personality and philanthropist, were reportedly facing challenges.
According to reports, Rachel discovered that Siya had been unfaithful on multiple occasions, which led to growing tensions.
The couple tried to reconcile privately, but ultimately, they both agreed that they were no longer able to salvage their relationship.
The divorce came after months of speculation about their marriage, and both Siya and Rachel have maintained their silence, although fans continue to debate the reasons behind the split.
Cassper Nyovest and Thobeka Majozi
Reason for Divorce: Growing Apart and Different Life Goals
Cassper Nyovest and Thobeka Majozi, who had been in a long-term relationship before getting married, shocked their fans with a sudden split.
The couple, who share a child together, cited growing apart and having different life goals as the main reasons for their divorce.
Cassper, who has been busy with his music career and his business ventures, seemed to prioritize his professional life, while Thobeka, who had been more low-key, was said to be seeking more family-oriented time.
The two remained amicable after their divorce, with no major public drama surrounding their breakup.
Khanyi Mbau and Kudzai Mushonga
Reason for Divorce: Emotional Abuse and Manipulation
Khanyi Mbau’s marriage to Zimbabwean businessman Kudzai Mushonga ended in 2024 under shocking circumstances.
In a tearful statement shared on social media, Khanyi revealed that emotional abuse and manipulation were the primary reasons for the breakup.
She detailed how Kudzai’s controlling behavior and constant pressure to maintain an image of perfection took a toll on her mental health.
Khanyi’s candid admission was met with an outpouring of support from fans and other public figures, many of whom applauded her for speaking out about abusive relationships and breaking free from a toxic marriage.
Maps Maponyane and Jessica Nkosi
Reason for Divorce: Pressure from Public Scrutiny and Career Conflicts
Maps Maponyane and Jessica Nkosi seemed like a perfect couple on the surface, but their divorce in 2024 was a result of constant public scrutiny and the pressure of balancing their careers.
While they had been very private about their relationship, it was revealed that both Maps and Jessica had struggled with maintaining their relationship amidst the intense media spotlight.
Jessica, who was focusing more on her acting career, and Maps, who had been involved in multiple entrepreneurial ventures, found it increasingly difficult to keep their personal lives intact.
Both parties stated that they wished each other well and intended to remain friends.
Pearl Thusi and Robert Marawa
Reason for Divorce: Differences in Relationship Expectations
Pearl Thusi and Robert Marawa’s brief marriage ended in 2024, and fans were shocked by how quickly things fell apart.
Sources close to the couple revealed that their divorce was largely due to differences in relationship expectations.
Pearl, who has been juggling acting, hosting, and activism, reportedly wanted a partner who could support her ambitions without the traditional constraints of marriage.
Robert, on the other hand, wanted a more traditional family structure and didn’t feel fulfilled in the marriage.
The split was amicable, but both celebrities made it clear they had different priorities that made it impossible to continue their relationship.
Minnie Dlamini and Quinton Jones
Reason for Divorce: Growing Apart and Incompatibility
Minnie Dlamini and Quinton Jones’ highly publicized divorce was a tough one for their fans to swallow.
The two had been married for several years and shared a child together, but sources revealed that they had been growing apart for a long time before officially calling it quits.
The couple stated that they were simply incompatible in terms of their goals and ambitions, and their relationship was no longer serving either of them in a fulfilling way.
Their split came as a shock, as the couple had appeared to be happy in the public eye.
However, as often happens in the entertainment world, what is visible to the public is not always the reality behind closed doors.
Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung
Reason for Divorce: Financial Disputes and Abuse Allegations
While their divorce officially took place in 2024, the Somizi-Mohale saga had been brewing for several years.
The two first became public figures as a married couple after their extravagant wedding, but reports of financial disputes and allegations of verbal and emotional abuse began to surface shortly after.
Mohale filed for divorce, claiming Somizi was controlling and manipulative, while Somizi accused Mohale of being ungrateful and using him for fame.
The divorce became incredibly messy and broke the internet when both parties took their grievances public, with a series of explosive interviews and social media posts.
Their divorce remains one of the most controversial in South African celebrity history, with both sides of the story sparking heated debates about toxic relationships and the impact of fame on personal lives.
DJ Zinhle and Murdah Bongz
Reason for Divorce: Differences in Family Life and Career Choices
DJ Zinhle and Murdah Bongz were one of Mzansi’s most beloved couples, but by mid-2024, they quietly separated.
Differences in their career choices and how they envisioned family life together were reportedly the main reasons for their divorce.
DJ Zinhle, who has become a major force in the music and business world, felt that she was not getting the emotional support she needed from Murdah Bongz, who was still pursuing his music career with Black Motion.
Sources close to the couple revealed that their differing work schedules and priorities caused increasing strain in their relationship, leading to their breakup.
However, they have remained on good terms for the sake of their children.
The Controversial Divorce: Shauwn Mkhize and Sbu
Reason for Divorce: Cheating Scandal and Financial Issues
The most controversial and publicly shocking divorce of 2024 involves none other than Shauwn Mkhize and her estranged partner Sbu (whose full identity remains somewhat obscure).
Rumors surrounding their marriage had been circulating for some time, but things took a dramatic turn when a cheating scandal came to light.
It was revealed that Sbu had been involved in an affair with a well-known South African socialite, causing an uproar in the media.
The fallout from the scandal, combined with financial issues and accusations of mismanagement, led to Shauwn filing for divorce.
She publicly slammed her ex, saying she was “done being a doormat” and that the betrayal was too much to bear.
Fans were shocked by the public nature of the breakup, especially since Shauwn had long been seen as a role model for successful women in South Africa.
Conclusion: A Year of Heartbreak and New Beginnings
2024 has certainly been a year of major breakups in Mzansi’s celebrity scene.
The reasons behind these divorces are varied—ranging from infidelity and emotional abuse to career differences and financial issues—but one thing is clear: fame, fortune, and public scrutiny do not guarantee happily ever after.
As these stars navigate their new chapters, South Africa watches closely, and the public remains fascinated by the drama that often unfolds behind the closed doors of the country’s most beloved celebrities.
Who knows what the rest of 2024 holds for these celebrities—will they find new love, focus on personal growth, or continue to stir controversy in the spotlight? Time will tell.